We've compiled a list of commonly asked questions. Scroll down to read them all, or jump to a specific section by clicking on one of the links below. If you don't find what you are looking for, email us anytime!
• Where is Alaska City Folk Arts Camp located?
• Who is on the faculty?
• Are there ever guest artists on the faculty?
• What is the camp's tuition?
• How old must campers be?
• Must I accompany my 8 or 9 year old child at camp?
• How do I register?
• How will I know if my registration went through?
• Should I bring my own lunch?
• What is the “Folk Arts Sampler” class?
• Does Alaska City Folk Arts have a closed campus?
• What happens on Monday morning, the first day of camp?
• When can I drop off and pick up my child?
• What if I don’t have an instrument?
• What if my primary instrument is not offered at Folk Arts Camp?
• Is there a Friday, End-of-Camp Event?
• Are there evening camp events?
• Who may attend evening camp events?
• How can I become a camp counselor?
• How can I volunteer at camp?
• Is financial aid available to help with tuition?
• Are cell phones allowed at camp?
• What are Saturday Sessions?
• What is the history of Alaska City Folk Arts Camp?
• How did the camp get its name?
• Who designs the camp t-shirts?
• Any additional advice?
Camp will be held at the Anchorage Waldorf School campus, located at 3250 Baxter Road, Anchorage, Alaska. We held our first camp at AWS last summer, and are excited about the beautiful, kid-friendly spaces available there and look forward to creating new traditions and memories. Many thanks to the wonderful congregation and staff at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for hosting us for 25 summers!
Our faculty is made up of an incredibly talented, multi-generational group of mostly local artists. Their skills often place them among the best in the state within their disciplines. Check our “FACULTY” quick link at the bottom of the page to see who will be joining us this summer.
Typically we will invite one or more guest artists to join our faculty for the week, and invariably beautiful things happen! Check our “FACULTY” quick link at the bottom the page to see who will be joining us this summer, and to read the guest artist biographies.
Tuition is $320 when you pay by check. Paying by check will cost you less, and we prefer it! You may also pay online with PayPal. Their service fee will be added to your total. Tuition can be refunded through May 17th, minus an administrative fee ($80 for check payments, $100 for online payments due to Paypal fees).
Students between the ages of 8 and 17 may attend Alaska City Folk Arts Camp. Campers must be 8 on, or prior to, the first day of camp.
Yes, all first time campers 8 or 9 must be accompanied by a parent or a designated guardian. The experience for kids this age is much more meaningful if they have someone to help them navigate the week. Contact our director if you have further questions.
There are 2 ways to enroll. You can go to the “REGISTER” page and sign up online and pay online as well (be aware that paying online will involve a service fee). It is also possible to download the Registration PDF from that same page, complete it, and send it to us with your payment. You will need to mail the payment (check or money order) to our P.O. Box. The PDF can be mailed too, or it can be saved to your computer, completed, and emailed back to mschallert@acsalaska.net. We will email your camp schedule to you in late May.
Once we receive your registration either online, or through the mail, we will send an email indicating that you have successfully registered. If we are missing something we will let you know at that time. This may take a week or so. Families that pay online will arrive at a “Thank-You” page. This also indicates that you have successfully registered. Please do not attempt to register or pay for the same student more than once. Contact us with any concerns or questions.
Pack your own lunch for lunch break (12:30-1:15 Monday-Thursday, and 12:30-1:30 on Friday). A water bottle and an afternoon snack are also recommended! Some light snacks will be available for purchase at lunch and after camp.
All first time students 11 or younger must enroll in our "Folk Arts Sampler" class. Kids sample the music, dance, and arts classes offered at our camp and get a feel for our offerings and philosophy.
We have a closed campus. For safety’s sake, students of any age may not leave campus unless they are accompanied by a designated adult, or have a written note from a parent or guardian. Students who need to leave prior to 3:15 pm must check out at the front desk (with their adult) before leaving campus. Parents, please discuss this with your children.
Adults need to park and come up to the Registration Tables to sign their students in. This is where you can pick up t-shirts you’ve ordered, check to see if you are on the Faculty Concert Will Call list, and confirm that we have all of the correct contact information. Parking is very limited, so if you can, park in the neighborhood, or at Baxter Elementary School across the street. Traffic flow is in one direction. Follow the signs to exit through the back end of campus onto Baxter Road.
From 9:30 to 10:20 am we offer before-camp activities for campers and families too! Folks can join a Sing Along hosted by faculty, or, a Contra/Square Dance, complete with a live band and professional caller! Classes run from 10:30 am to 3:15 pm Monday through Thursday (Friday's schedule is different, so please review the “CAMP EVENTS” page). After camp, between 3:30 and 4:30 pm, there will be a Blackboard Concert, where campers sign up to perform, or listen and support the performers from the audience. A Jam Session will also be held for campers wishing to play tunes and learn new ones. Students on campus before or after camp must participate in one of these activities.
In general, students should bring their own instruments. Label every item and instrument brought to camp (and put a name card inside the case for good measure). If you want to take a class, but do not have the required instrument, don't be discouraged. First, try all of your own resources. If you are unsuccessful we can help find someone willing to loan you an instrument for the week. Contact us for a list of instruments for loan. You will need to make the connection with the owner, have the instrument ready for camp on the first day, and get it safely back to the owner at the end of camp.
Alaska City Folk Arts Camp is about musical collaboration, either with your primary instrument (the instrument you are proficient in), or the instrument you are learning, (your second instrument). If your instrument of choice is not listed specifically as a class, you can take a “Session & Repertoire” class, or the “Improvisation” class, or ask our director to find the best spot for you and your instrument. Most of our instructors understand how music works and will help you find how your instrument fits into the musical scheme of things (whether that might be a wind instrument, piano, concertina, dulcimer, or your voice!)
On Friday we will hold a Friday Festival! If weather permits, the event will be outside, on campus. Some chairs will be set up, but families will be free to sit on blankets, or on the grass. We are asking those who can to park across the street at Baxter Elementary School. If the weather is uncooperative we will hold the Friday Festival at Baxter Elementary School, across the street in the Multipurpose Room. In this scenario signs and staff will direct you. In either case, traffic flow is in one direction. Follow the one way signs to exit through the back end of campus.
Yes. Tuesday evening is our Teen Jam held at Uncle Joe’s Pizza starting at 7 pm. Wednesday evening we sponsor a Faculty Concert beginning at 7 pm. This year’s concert location is at the Wilda Marston Theatre at the Loussac Library. Tickets are $10 in advance, $20 at the door. Thursday evening we host a Contra, Square, Swing Dance to be held at camp, and open to the whole family, with a live band and professional caller. Admission is $5 at the door. See the “CAMP EVENTS” page on this website for more details and a calendar of the week.
Yes. Tuesday evening is our Teen Jam held at Uncle Joe’s Pizzeria starting at 7 pm. Wednesday evening we sponsor a Faculty Concert beginning at 7 pm. This year’s concert location is at the Wilda Marston Theatre at the Loussac Library. Tickets are $10 in advance, $20 at the door. Thursday evening we host a Contra, Square, Swing Dance to be held at camp, and open to the whole family, with a live band and professional caller. Admission is $5 at the door. See the “CAMP EVENTS” page on this website for more details and a calendar of the week.
Answer “YES” to the Camp Counselor question on our Registration form and we will send you a Counselor Application. Students 14-17 years old with past camp experience may apply. Counselors help set the tone of the camp, serve as examples and moral support for younger students, and assist with the day-to-day operations of the camp. It is a great way to bond with new and old friends and build leadership skills.
Indicate on the Registration form that you would like to volunteer. Our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with many options! You can also email us at alaskafolkartsvolunteer@gmail.com.
Yes. Contact us if you are interested. Everyone is welcome to donate to this fund.
Cell phones must be turned off during classes unless students are using a recording function, a tuning application, or some other arts related activity sanctioned by the teacher.
Our director, Mary Schallert, offers musical sessions on Saturdays in the fall and spring. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced groups meet at her studio and play favorite tunes and learn new ones. Various repertoires are represented, and session protocol is learned. Open to all ages. Email Mary for fees and schedules at mschallert@acsalaska.net
Mary Schallert created the camp back in 1993. It was first held at her home, but soon moved to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and most recently to our current location at the Anchorage Waldorf School. For more information, link to Rhonda McBride’s video about Mary and our camp (“Mary Schallert Video”) located at the bottom of our webpage.
"Alaska City" is the name that Anchorage's early 20th century settlers voted to call the town back in 1915. The U.S. Post Office prevailed, and the name “Anchorage” was never changed. When naming this camp, Mary Schallert thought it would be nice to honor the choice of our town’s early voters.
Mindy Dwyer, our dear friend and renowned illustrator and author, created our camp logo, and has designed all of our camp t-shirts since 1999! She and her children have been part of our camp from the start, and she and her son, Jack Dwyer, continue to teach at camp when schedules permit. Visit mindydwyer.com for more information.
A special note to all: Camp is loads of fun, but it can be intense. During this week we recommend keeping other activities to a minimum so that the participants can concentrate and enjoy the experience!
• Mary Schallert Video
• More Music With Mary
Anchorage Waldorf School
3250 Baxter Road
Anchorage, AK 99504
• Get Directions
Mailing Address:
Alaska Folk Arts
P.O. Box 233634
Anchorage, Alaska 99523
Phone: 907-351-3791
Email: m.schallert64@gmail.com